From Frazzled to Fun

Mothers are gardeners of God, tending to the hearts of their children. 

- Roy Lessin

For every mom reading this post I pray the Lord gives supernatural insights, and that wisdom walks beside you as you do your "gardening".

You do so much every day for your family. I honor you on your day.

I pray this year the Lord heaps on you blessings beyond what you could ask or imagine.

We had two kids at the time, but late one Saturday night, my wife said … “it’s time.”

Did I forget to say we were 9 months pregnant … at least my wife was! "It’s time” wasn’t something she said often, so I didn’t hesitate to ask for further clarification.

We loaded up the car, called friends who had committed to come spend the night and watch our two older boys and we headed to Good Samaritan Hospital.

Upon arrival, we learned it apparently was time for a lot of other babies that night also.

We did all the typical stuff you do when a baby is about to be born -- paperwork, blood pressure, etc. I asked the attending nurse if we could get a room for my wife and she answered that no rooms were available and we could wait in the hallway. The waiting room was full but they had placed a few chairs in the hallway -- I got one for my wife and I stood by her.

When I asked how she was doing she said “it’s time".

My wife had...

Heart check!

Leading up to Easter is a great time to examine our hearts and ask the Lord to clean them up and make them whole. We need to do it, and we can help our children do it, too.

Here’s an easy-to-do object lesson to help your kids understand how to keep their souls free. Gather large rocks or heavy books, a sack, masking tape, and a Sharpie marker.

1. Ask your children to think of someone they may need to forgive. Here are a few prompts:
1. Did someone say something that embarrassed you
2. Did someone take something that belonged to you?
3. Did someone make you feel bad about yourself?
2. Talk about the feelings that can result from hurts like that (resentment, hate, revenge, anger and bitterness) and write those things on the masking tape, labeling each rock or heavy object.
3. Put the items in the sack.
4. Have each child take turns walking around the room holding the loaded sack, and explain that carrying around feelings such as anger and unforgiveness in their hearts is an even...

Can I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee or tea, take a 7-minute soul "spa" moment, and reflect on your Heavenly Father's great love for you?

He knows you, He sees you, and He loves you.

Barry Adams in 1999 felt the Lord whisper to his heart that if he could put the scriptures in the right order they would form a love letter.

In January 2000 his love letter almost shut down the internet because so many people were viewing it at once. It has now been translated into more than 120 languages -- 100 million people have read and heard it so far. 

Take a few minutes and bask in his love by clicking here.

It will make you a better mom. :)

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled...

This week I had the joy of eating some of the tastiest soup, made by my friend Maggie.

I just have to share it with you, because not only is it delicious, it is also easy to prepare.

See instructions below for preparing in either the Instant Pot, on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker.

Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup - makes 12 servings

2.5 lb. boneless chicken breasts or thighs (or a purchased large rotisserie chicken)

28 oz. green enchilada sauce

24 oz. chicken broth

2 c. Monterey Jack cheese

4 oz. cream cheese (at room temperature)

4 oz. green salsa (salsa verde)

1 c. half and half

salt and pepper, to taste

Instant Pot Instructions

1. Cook chicken on high pressure with 1 c. of broth for 8 minutes. Do a quick release after 10 min. Remove chicken and shred.

2. Set pot to medium saute, add remaining broth, shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, salsa and heat until warm. Add cheese and remaining ingredients. Stir until cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper.

Stovetop...

"My children are learners."

Did you know that viewing our kids as learners can have a significant impact on their growth?

Check out this video by Trevor Ragan that explains

1. how our beliefs about others change the way we treat them, and

2. how that impacts their growth

Are you ready to give an encouraging word?

Here's to kids who are confident to try new things and grow in their abilities!

P.S. Follow me on Instagram at coachmomtribe.

This month the Coach Mom Tribe mommas are having all kinds of sibling kindness in our home.

See YOUR kids serve up kindness to each other at your next family dinner by doing one of the simple exercises.

Host a Family Gratitude Dinner this weekend!

1. Give each person a piece of paper and have them write their name at the top. (If you have young children who can’t write words yet, you might use full sheets of copy paper or cardstock so they can draw pictures.) A note card size might be good for older children, making it easy for people to keep it and look back on it.
2. Everyone passes their papers to the right.
3. Each person writes down one thing about that person that they are thankful for (If your family has 4 or less members, everyone writes down 2 things.) Prompts:

   a. You are so _______________________.

   b. I like _________________________ about you.
4. Repeat until the papers are held by the person sitting just to the left of the person whose sheet they hold.
5. Starting...

Wednesday, March 2 is the first day of Lent! 

Would you like to know about a great Lent resource to use with your kids?   

It's an amazing 40-day prayer guide produced by Waymakers. It is truly one of the most powerful resources I have seen. And to think that people all around the world are praying the same powerful prayers together each day...WOW!  

"We do our best praying when we pray beyond our personal needs and persistently pray toward the great things that God has purposed to accomplish in history. We do our best praying for others when we envision and intercede for the good things that God has desired for them. We do our best praying as a people, united and focused by God’s word" (Waymakers.org).

A Guide for Kids

Pray with the kids using this prayer guide kids version. Just download for free and print. 

The App

Follow along on your tablet or phone: Seek God for the City 2022 App 

...

We as parents are always looking for ways to support and encourage our kids, right?

Did you know tweaking one subtle angle in the way you praise your child can make all the difference in their development?

I was stunned this week to see Trevor Ragan's presentation sharing what Carol Dweck's study showed.

What you learn from the above video will likely revolutionize the way you cheer your kids on to be the best they can be.

As the Coach Mom Tribe works through our action steps to organize or homes and families each week this year we will be keeping this at the forefront of our minds.

As we praise our children, we will make sure we put more emphasis on the process and effort rather than their intelligence or abilities.

Here's to raising kids who are always growing toward greatness!

One way we can coach them toward greatness is to train them how to organize their own room and stuff.

To get Brenna's free OAK (Organizing Alongside Kids) Mindmap, click...